AI to be used to tackle rat problem

A research laboratory and an innovative pest control company will use artificial intelligence (AI) to study data from rodent sensors to better manage rodent problems in shopping malls.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed yesterday between Pestech Holding and Singapore Management University (SMU), beginning a two-year collaboration between Pestech and an SMU research laboratory - LiveLabs Urban Lifestyle Innovation Platform.

Under the MOU, Pestech will contribute its collected data on of rodent activity within malls, and where the rodents are most active in the malls. It has rodent sensors in more than 10 malls around Singapore.

Pestech's infrared sensors are installed in the malls' ceilings above food and beverage tenants and common ceiling space shared by tenants to detect the rats' movements.

LiveLabs' AI programming will be used to analyse the data and provide more accurate details, such as identifying the different rodent species, the number of rodent clusters and the unique behaviours of each species, such as feeding and movement patterns.

"Instead of having to wait through the night to catch the rodents, they can use the algorithm and the data provided by our AI to predict the exact places and timings that the rodents will likely be at," said a LiveLabs spokesman.

The data will provide hourly and daily trends of the rodents' locations and behavioural patterns, allowing LiveLabs to suggest the most appropriate pest control methods.

PUB inks 3-year deal with Danish firm

National water agency PUB has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with renowned pump manufacturer Grundfos to tap digital technologies for Singapore's water supply.

The three-year agreement, signed yesterday on the sidelines of Singapore International Water Week, will see PUB and the Danish firm build on a previous collaboration inked in 2014.

It involves research and development projects in the areas of water treatment and water quality monitoring technologies, digital water solutions, as well as applications of high-efficiency pump solutions in water treatment.

The new MOU will be wider in scope and will incorporate Grundfos' latest technologies. It will see the creation of intelligent products and solutions for Singapore that are more intuitive, connected and efficient, said PUB in a statement.

Among other things, Grundfos is working on technologies that will see pumps ordering their own spare parts.

PUB chief executive Ng Joo Hee and Denmark's Ambassador to Singapore, Ms Dorte Bech Vizard, witnessed the MOU signing.

Correction note: Pestech has clarified that it will contribute its collected data of rodent activity within malls.